(Le Floridien) — Kenya is set to move forward with plans to lead a U.N.-approved security mission to Haiti, despite a court in Nairobi blocking the deployment last week, as confirmed by Kenyan President William Ruto in a statement to Reuters on Tuesday.
The international force, initially expected to be financed by the United States, aims to tackle the rampant gang violence in the Caribbean nation that claimed the lives of nearly 5,000 people last year.
The mission faced uncertainty after the Kenyan court ruled that deploying officers abroad would be unconstitutional unless there was a ‘reciprocal arrangement’ in place with the host government. President Ruto said that Haiti had requested assistance months ago, and he anticipated that a formal request meeting the court’s requirements would be submitted shortly.
“So the mission can proceed as early as next week if all the necessary paperwork is completed between Kenya and Haiti, following the bilateral route suggested by the court,” Ruto stated following an Italian-Africa summit in Rome.
When asked if discussions were underway with Haiti to obtain the necessary request, Ruto responded, “Absolutely. Haiti has actually formally submitted a written request, not today, but several months ago.”
In 2022, Haiti initially sought help as gang violence surged. However, finding assistance proved challenging, as many foreign governments were reluctant to support the impoverished country’s unelected administration. Kenya, with a long history of participating in international peacekeeping operations, stepped forward in July, committing 1,000 police officers. Kenya stated that it was acting in solidarity with Haiti as a brother nation.
Subsequently, The Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, and Jamaica expressed their willingness to assist, and the United States pledged $200 million to facilitate the deployment.
“The mission is on course. It’s a bigger calling to humanity,” emphasized Ruto, highlighting that it is a police operation rather than a military one.
